(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) recently visited Walt Whitman High School to honor Project Excel, a mentoring program designed to prepare high school and middle school students in the South Huntington School District for future careers and provide academic assistance.

“Project Excel has played such a valuable role in the lives of so many students in the South Huntington School District,” said Lupinacci, a former South Huntington School Board member. “We’ve heard the success stories of students persevering through difficult classes with the assistance that Project Excel provides. I look forward to continuing watching this program as it helps students better prepare themselves for life after graduation.”

(L to R): Project Excel manager David Perkins, Huntington Town Board member Tracy Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Taku, and Deputy Superintendent of the South Huntington School District, Jacqueline Harris and Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci. Photo Credit: NYS.

Lupinacci also presented Assembly Citations to two parents with children in Project Excel who decided to return to school to earn master’s degrees.

“These parents set a strong precedent for their children by going back to school and pursuing master’s degrees. Their hard work and determination is inspirational, and I hope their children will follow in their footsteps,” concluded Lupinacci.

A statement from Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,I,C-Glen Head)

(Long Island, NY) “I am truly disheartened that months after both houses successfully passed eight bills outlined in the Women’s Equality Act the governor has yet to sign them into law. It is incomprehensible that these historic pieces of legislation have taken a back seat to political agendas.

“The Assembly and Senate worked across the aisle to pass each bill separately, with a debate and vote on its own merits. Each day those bills go untouched, the mothers, daughters and wives across New York State are denied the equality and protection they justly deserve. I join many of my colleagues in the legislature in the call for the executive to put politics aside and sign each of these bills into law immediately.”

For more information on this issue please visit: http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/10/8579066/cuomo-backed-womens-agenda-among-unresolved-issues-2015-session?top-featured-3

Groups support Nolan’s Safe and Supportive Schools (SSS-NY); A.8396 bill ensures common-sense policies

(Long Island, NY) A coalition of national, statewide and local organizations joined with former Chief Justice of New York State Judith Kaye and New York State Assembly Education Chair Catherine Nolan and to support A.8396, a bill that will reduce school suspension and promote a positive school climate, cultivating an environment where teachers can teach and students can learn.

In a press conference today, the legislation was hailed as essential by Advocates for Children, The Legal Aid Society, Urban Youth Collaborative, Make the Road New York, The New York State Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children, The New York Civil Liberties Union, Advancement Project, Alliance for Quality Education and Citizen Action of New York.

This common sense legislation is designed to reduce suspensions and keep students in school. The goal of the legislation is to reverse the disturbing school-to-prison pipeline, which starts with excessive use of suspensions, often for minor infractions. This is an issue that disproportionately affects students of color. The most recent data from the New York State Report Card shows that 94,877 student were suspended during the 2012-2013 school year, which is more than 500 suspensions per day. Even children in Kindergarten have been subject to suspensions for typical age-level behavior.

Parents and students also spoke at the press conference urging the state legislators to adopt the bill.

“For too long, we’ve been presented with a false choice between accountability and compassion when responding to our children when they misbehave, disrupt class or defy us,” said former Chief Judge Judith Kaye, Chair of the Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children. “We can have both.  We must have both.  Some kids, particularly those that have experienced trauma, need more support in order to flourish in a school setting. Public schools cannot push these kids out, and as such, we need to ensure schools have positive alternatives and discipline strategies that build reflection and impulse control as well as a strong sense of community. To use words of Frederick Douglass, we know that ‘It’s better to build strong children than fix broken men (and women).’”

“Students and parents face many challenges today” said Assembly Member Catherine Nolan.  “It is essential that we create a nurturing and safe environment for every student. That is why we are introducing this bill that will support strong state policies that eliminate inflexible mandates that impose harsh discipline. This legislation will support schools and teachers in cultivating respect, personal responsibility and dealing sensibly with conflict.  It will provide a path for schools to adapt policies that maintain order and safety while also treating students with dignity and respect.”

“This bill pushes for more interventions and offers students support instead of punishment for minor infractions,” saidKadiata Kaba, a student with Make The Road and Urban Youth Collaborative. “Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ But how can students change the world if they are constantly being suspended for minor infractions.”

“My daughter was an honor student in the Rochester City School District with dreams of studying neuroscience,” saidMelanie Funchess, a Rochester parent of four. “But because of the strict code of conduct, which is disproportionately applied, my daughter was starting to get in trouble for such things as going to the restroom and wearing a hat. It got so bad, that she considered dropping out of school. Basically, the school punishes adolescents for being adolescents. This breaks their spirit. This is not ok.”

“This law will ensure that schools must have available a range of alternatives rather than only punitive responses to student misconduct,” said Kathleen R. DeCataldo, Esq., Executive Director of the New York State Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children. “Across the country we have seen these alternatives improve school climate and keep students in their classrooms learning by intervening early and actively seeking to reduce the odds of future misbehavior through interventions such as restorative practices that hold students accountable while teaching them the skills they need to resolve conflicts and ultimately succeed in life.”

“Schools should nurture, support and educate New York’s children, not slap them with a suspension or send them to the police precinct for being late to class or violating the dress code,” said New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “Excessive discipline policies have damaged the education of our kids, especially kids of color and kids with special needs. By mandating that schools approach misbehavior with respect and care, this legislation is necessary to ensure that children are taught the educational, social and emotional skills they need in school.”

“The Legal Aid Society strongly supports State Assembly Bill A.8396,” said Seymour James, Attorney-in-Chief of The Legal Aid Society.  “Many of the Legal Aid Society’s clients face unnecessary suspensions and exclusions from school, which lead to missed opportunities for learning and significant disengagement from school.  The bill would require more extensive use of restorative practices.  It would reduce reliance on harsh discipline policies that cause students to disconnect from school, and would provide opportunities to teach students the conflict resolution skills they need to be successful.”

“Every child needs a safe and nurturing environment in school,” said Maria Bautista, Alliance for Quality Education’s New York City Campaigns Coordinator. “They need a place where they feel respected and where teachers can teach and students can learn. We need this legislation so schools can move forward with common sense practices toward discipline.”

“All children deserve access to a quality education, but too often, children of color are pushed out of the classroom through harsh school disciplinary policies,” said Kaitlin Banner, Staff Attorney at Advancement Project. “Act 8396 promotes fair and equitable school discipline policies and affirms our commitment to ensuring equal educational opportunities for all children.”

“This bill breaks new ground in New York State by encouraging districts to support schools in developing school-wide approaches to preventing problem behavior, by, for example, teaching students and staff how to handle conflicts constructively,” said Kim Sweet, Executive Director for Advocates for Children.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Community College has been named as a top two-year college in a yearly publication that provides statistics about our nation’s community colleges and which academic disciplines are the most popular and are contributing to the national goal of producing more graduates. The information is gathered from U.S. Department of Education data.

“Community colleges contribute to building and revitalizing communities,” said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay. “In the last two tears we have graduated classes in record numbers, awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and aid, and contributed to the economic growth and development of our region. We are committed to remaining affordable, accessible and graduating students who are ready to enter the workforce or continue their education,” McKay said.

The yearly Top 100 report from Community College Week, recently produced for 2015, recognized Suffolk County Community College in a number of categories, including:

• Liberal Arts & Humanities
• Business, Management, and Marketing
• Communication Technologies
• Criminal Justice and Corrections
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Health Professions
• Nursing
• Protective Services
• Sales
• Associate Degrees (All Disciplines – Grand Total)
• Associate Degrees (All Disciplines – Non Minority)
• Associate Degrees (All Disciplines – Minority)
• Associate Degrees (All Disciplines – African American)
• Associate Degrees (All Disciplines – Hispanic)

Community College Week is an independent, impartial publication that compiles its top 100 list using data collected by the National Center for Education Statistics through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Set completions survey that all colleges and universities accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must complete.  The list includes institutions from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

(Long Island, NY) An exhibit featuring about 200 works of art created by the Art League of Long Island’s many talented members will be on display at the Art League of Long Island’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery starting November 8.

Paintings, drawings, collage, photography, print-making, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, and fiber arts, all handcrafted by student and professional artists will be shown in two parts.  Part One of Members’ Exhibition 2015 exhibits November 8 through November 29 and Part Two exhibits December 13 through January 10. Artists’ receptions and awards presentations at the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery are scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 1pm – 3pm and Sunday, January 10, 1pm – 3 pmrespectively.

Awards of Excellence and Honorable Mentions will be determined by exhibition juror Edward McEvoy, Art League of Long Island Executive Director Emeritus.

The Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery is open free of charge Monday through Thursday 9am – 9pm, Friday 9am – 4pm and weekends from 11am – 4pm. The Art League is located at 107 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills. For more information about the Art League and an update on holiday closings visit www.artleagueli.org or call (631) 462-5400.

Resolution introduced today will establish a bipartisan committee to issue legislative proposals to prevent gun violence

(Long Island, NY) U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice, a Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and her 10 fellow Vice Chairs cosponsored a resolution introduced today by Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson to establish a Select Committee of the House to study gun violence. The committee would be made up of six Republicans and six Democrats, and would issue a final report within 60 days of its creation outlining recommendations and legislative proposals to prevent gun violence.

The resolution can be found here.

“Congress cannot keep standing by and doing nothing while we watch horrific scenes of mass gun violence unfold in schools, theaters, places of worship and public spaces across the country,” said Representative Kathleen Rice. “We cannot keep ignoring the fact that more than 30,000 people on average are killed by a gun each year in the United States. And we cannot keep acting as if there’s nothing we can do about it.

“I doubt there is a single member of Congress who doesn’t think gun violence is a problem in America. We may not agree on the solutions, but I know that if we can just agree to work together, we will find common ground, we will find reasonable solutions to keep guns away from people who shouldn’t have them, and we will find ways to help prevent gun violence without infringing on the Second Amendment rights of any responsible, law-abiding American citizens. So let’s investigate what we should all agree is an actual problem. Let’s come together, Democrats and Republicans, and figure out how we can help prevent gun violence in a bipartisan way. The American people are demanding action, and it’s time that their representatives listened.”

The resolution directs the Select Committee to study and issue recommendations on each of the following:

• The causes of mass shootings
• Methods to improve the Federal firearms purchaser background check system
• Connections between access to firearms and dangerously mentally ill individuals
• Federal penalties for trafficking and straw purchasing of firearms
• Loopholes that allow some domestic abusers continued access to firearms
• Linkages between firearms and suicide
• Gun violence’s effect on public health
• The correlation between State gun violence prevention laws and the incidence of gun violence
• The importance of having reliable and accurate information on gun violence and its toll on our Nation
• The implementation of effective gun violence prevention laws in accordance with the Second Amendment to the Constitution
• Rates of gun violence in large metropolitan areas

Partnership Leverages Technologies To Help Catch Traffickers And Identify Victims, Complementing Existing Efforts Within Office To Combat Human Trafficking

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a new partnership with Facebook today to use innovative data and analytical methods to crack down on human trafficking. The announcement took place during the Attorney General’s keynote address at Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman’s National Summit of Human Trafficking and the State Courts.

The partnership will leverage technology to identify victims of sex trafficking in online advertisements for commercial sex, and pursue the traffickers that engage in this practice of modern day slavery. The initiative will focus, in particular, on identifying child victims of sex trafficking, including those who are reported as missing.

“This is an exciting and important new partnership that will greatly assist our efforts to bring sex traffickers to justice and return their victims to safety,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Working with Facebook, we will open a new front in the fight to make online sex trafficking a thing of the past. Facebook has been a great partner in my office’s work to protect children in the past, and I am very pleased to be working with them again on this critical new effort.”

“I commend Attorney General Schneiderman on this creative, new partnership that will utilize the latest technology, both to help identify and assist the youngest victims of the heinous crime of sex trafficking ─ which has become an international crisis ─ and enable law enforcement to identify the traffickers and hold them accountable,” said New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman.

“Facebook is pleased to be working with Attorney General Schneiderman on his efforts to combat the scourge of human trafficking. We look forward to helping the Attorney General and his staff bring attention to this important issue,” said Will Castleberry, Facebook’s director of state public policy.

As part of the initiative, the Attorney General’s office will work with Facebook to develop algorithms that will identify evidence of trafficking in these online advertisements, including pattern analysis of ad language, phone numbers, images, and other data, as well as identification of missing children who appear in advertisements for commercial sex. When advertisements including potential victims of trafficking are identified, the Attorney General, in conjunction with other law enforcement partners and victim’s support groups, will take immediate action.

The problem of human trafficking in online sex advertisements is well known among law enforcement. In 2009, a Maryland man pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of three minors. According to the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agency, the man “obtained Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3 for the purpose of advertising them and providing them for commercial sex acts…On April 20, 2009, Thompson created a Craigslist posting advertising sexual services and containing a photograph of Jane Doe 3. In 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigation obtained a guilty plea from a Texas man who “posted prostitution advertisements on the Internet site Backpage.com depicting [the victim] and offering commercial sex services.” And in 2013, a DC cop was accused of prostituting more than a half dozen girls, posting nude pictures of them on Backpage.

Attorney General Schneiderman’s office is committed to prosecuting sex trafficking. For instance, in October 2013, the Attorney General’s Organized Crimes Task Force announced the arrest of three members of a sex trafficking ring that operated in Syracuse, Watertown, Ithaca, and elsewhere in New York State. The ring leader preyed on women and girls as young as 15 years old, recruiting them to work for sex. In certain instances, he intimidated them with the use of physical force to compel them to commit acts of prostitution, and supplied them with cocaine, heroin, and MDMA to keep them ensnared.

This is the most recent example of Facebook’s collaboration with the New York Attorney General. Earlier this year, the Attorney General’s office joined Facebook in announcing a new system to help find missing children by sending AMBER Alerts to the News Feeds of Facebook users who are in the targeted search area for a missing child.

In 2014, the Attorney General partnered with Facebook and Instagram to develop new policies to curb the sale of illegal firearms online. Facebook agreed to remove reported user posts that seek to circumvent state gun laws, take action action to prevent minors from viewing posts that aim to sell firearms, and provide education to better inform law-abiding private sellers on guns.

(Long Island, NY) More than 350 land conservation supporters came out on Saturday, September 26 for the North Shore Land Alliance’s 12^th annual Wine Auction and Dinner. The Wine Auction is the Land Alliance’s most important fundraiser of the year and thanks to the generous supporters and volunteers, the organization raised more than $300,000 to advance its local land conservation efforts.

Co-chaired by Kim and John Bancroft and Amos and Andrew Nevin with Junior Co-chairs Aileen and Ian Gumprecht, “La Fete de Conservation” was the theme for this elegant and festive event which was held at the historic Barn at Groton Place in Old Westbury. Guests had an opportunity to bid on rare and vintage wines and unique trips to special places, and were able to take a chance on the wall of wine – 100 bottles of wine rated 90 and above by Robert Parker.  With its unique setting, festive atmosphere, elegant dinner and post-event dancing, the Wine Auction has quickly become one of Long Island’s most anticipated and treasured events.

More than 350 land conservation supporters came out on Saturday, September 26 for the North Shore Land Alliance’s 12th annual Wine Auction and Dinner. Photo Credit: North Shore Land Alliance.

In his welcoming remarks Land Alliance Board Chair, Carter Bales, thanked all the guests for their support and spoke about the importance of local land conservation.  Bales commented, “The Land Alliance has become a leader in advancing land conservation efforts in Nassau and western Suffolk Counties. Since 2003, the Land Alliance has permanently protected more than 1,000 acres of land and has raised $265 million in public and private funding for local land and water protection.”  He added, “The strength of the organization can be attributed to the involvement and support of our nearly 3,000 members.” Bales discussed how the Land Alliance supports sensible growth and the preservation of green spaces, wetlands and historical sites to ensure a healthy future. He added, “With 20,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land at risk and struggling golf courses that comprise 11,000 of the remaining acres, now more than ever we need partnerships and community involvement to preserve and protect the remaining open space on the North Shore for this and future generations.”

The Wine Auction is the Land Alliance’s most important fundraiser of the year. Photo Credit: North Shore Land Alliance.

In speaking at the event, Land Alliance President and CEO, Lisa Ott, thanked the co-chairs, board of trustees, staff, guests and volunteers for all they did to make the spectacular evening a success, she then introduced auctioneer extraordinaire – Hugh Hildesley.  As Senior Auctioneer at Sotheby’s, Mr. Hildesley kept bidders and guests engaged with his commanding presence and eloquent banter. In addition to fine wines, the live auction featured a range of items such as a dinner for 14 prepared by celebrity Iron Chef Hong Thaimee of Ngam, a trip to Budapest, a luxury suite at the Barclay Center for a NY Islanders game, among other items.  The Super Silent and Silent Auctions were filled with premium wines, experience items, gift certificates to restaurants, exquisite clothing, home goods, artwork and more.

Thanks to the generous supporters and volunteers, the organization raised more than $300,000 to advance its local land conservation efforts. Photo Credit: North Shore Land Alliance.

It was truly an evening of celebrating conservation with $65,000 raised through a special appeal announced by Land Alliance Trustee and Vice Chair Hoyle Jones in support of the Land Alliance’s efforts to secure funding for a down payment towards the purchase of the Humes Japanese Stroll Garden.  This past July the Land Alliance acquired the 28-acre Humes property in Mill Neck, which is one of the most environmentally significant properties in the North Shore community.  The eight-acre Japanese Stroll Garden is adjacent to the Humes property and Shu Swamp Preserve and was created for Ambassador and Mrs. John P. Humes. The Garden is comprised of steep sloping terrain and is the finest example of a Japanese stroll garden in the Northeast United States, making the conservation of this land critical.

With its unique setting, festive atmosphere, elegant dinner and post-event dancing, the Wine Auction has quickly become one of Long Island’s most anticipated and treasured events. Photo Credit: North Shore Land Alliance.

To become a member or to learn more about the North Shore Land Alliance, visit www.northshorelandalliance.org.

The North Shore Land Alliance, Inc. (Land Alliance) is a nationally accredited land trust and 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2003 by a group of passionate conservationists concerned about how quickly the natural landscape was changing.

The Land Alliance works to protect and preserve, in perpetuity, the green spaces, farmlands, wetlands, groundwater and historical sites of Long Island’s north shore for the enhancement of quality of life and the enjoyment and benefit of future generations. 

For information about local land conservation, please contact the Land Alliance office at 516-626-0908, e-mail info@northshorelandalliance.org  or visit www.northshorelandalliance.org.

Historic Opening Game at Barclays Center

(Long Island, NY) The countdown to Opening Night in Brooklyn for the New York Islanders is on. A full slate of events is scheduled to begin today and continue through Friday when they face-off at 7:30 p.m. against the defending Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks at Barclays Center.

Today, Thursday, October 8: Islanders players Brock Nelson and Nick Leddy will light the Empire State Building in blue and orange this evening, Thursday, October 8.

Friday, October 9, 6-7:30 p.m.: Doors will open at Barclays Center at 6 p.m. with live mannequins on the Barclays Center Resorts World Casino NYC Plaza showcasing the latest Islanders merchandise.

At the Calvin Klein VIP Entrance, VIP guests will walk a blue carpet and have their photos taken with a commemorative Opening Night backdrop.

There will be a Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit on the Barclays Center concourse, consisting of Islanders memorabilia dating from the famed Stanley Cup dynasty to today.  Artifacts will include the stick Mike Bossy used to score his 400^th goal, John Tavares Team Canada jerseys from 2008-12, objects from current players’ youth, and more.

Also on the concourse, children can visit face painters and balloon makers. Fans can take pictures in a photo booth printing Islanders Opening Night photos, as well as against a commemorative backdrop complete with sticks and helmets as props for interactive photos.

Special Islanders-themed food will be served at concession stands throughout the venue, including blue and orange popcorn, cupcakes and more.

In addition, several Islanders legendary players will attend the game.

In-game and Post-game:

Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7:15 p.m. for a special opening night ceremony, including a tribute video in honor of recently passed coach Al Arbour and a historic ceremonial puck drop.

Singer/songwriter and New Yorker Alexa Ray Joel will take the ice to sing the national anthem, and following the game, Joel will become the first artist to play the venue’s new Billboard Lounge amplified by Lightpath, where she’ll perform on the Master & Dynamic Stage.

Friday night will be the debut of Kerri Schreiber, the Islanders’ new in-game host. Schreiber is a Long Island native who previously served as on-air talent during Islanders radio broadcasts on WHRU 88.7 FM.

Islanders fans will be welcomed by the familiar voice of public address announcer Roger Luce, and will hear the traditional sounds of the team’s organ and organist Paul Cartier.

Each fan will receive a magnetic Islanders schedule when entering the arena, and a commemorative opening night poster when they depart.

Fans are encouraged to post photos and follow along on social media throughout the night using #IslesOpeningNight. Fans can also follow NYIsles on Snapchat to participate in a scavenger hunt to win autographed Islanders gear and more.

A limited supply of tickets is still available online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

Fans that are unable to attend the game in Brooklyn can watch on MSG Network or listen to the Islanders Radio Network on WNYE 91.5 FM, WHRU 88.7 FM and WRCN 103.9 FM.

About Barclays Center
Barclays Center opened on September 28, 2012, and is a major sports and entertainment venue in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. One of the most intimate seating configurations ever designed into a modern multi-purpose arena, Barclays Center offers 17,732 seats for basketball, 15,795 for hockey, and up to 19,000 seats for concerts, and has 101 luxury suites, four bars/lounges, four clubs, and 40/40 CLUB & Restaurant by American Express.

Barclays Center hosts an extensive variety of events, including premier concerts, major professional boxing cards, top college basketball, family shows, the Brooklyn Nets and, starting this season, the New York Islanders.

Barclays Center has redefined the arena customer service and culinary experience. Its more than 2,000 employees are trained by Disney Institute, the business advisory arm of The Walt Disney Company, and its BrooklynTaste™ food program features selections from 55 well-known restaurants and vendors in the borough.

Barclays Center engages the customer with state-of-the-art technology to enhance the fan experience. As the first arena in the world to utilize Cisco StadiumVision mobile multicast streaming technology, Barclays Center allows fans to watch live video and instant replays from their mobile phones while connected to the arena’s free Wi-Fi.

Located atop one of the largest transportation hubs in New York City, Barclays Center is accessible by 11 subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road, and 11 bus lines.

Advance Group Failed To Maintain “Firewall” Between Candidate Clients and So-Called Independent Expenditures

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that his office and the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) have settled an investigation into The Advance Group (TAG), a consultant for New York City political campaigns. The joint investigation centered on the 2013 New York City election cycle, specifically whether TAG improperly engaged in unlawful coordination by serving as both an agent for individual candidates for public office as well as for entities making independent expenditures on behalf of some or all of those candidates. The Attorney General’s investigation found that TAG’s leadership made virtually no effort to ensure that there was any separation—commonly known as a “firewall”—between TAG staff who worked for candidates and TAG staff who worked on advocacy campaigns that made expenditures in support of those candidates. As a result, TAG has agreed to pay roughly $26,000 in total to New York State and the CFB, as well as agree to properly maintain future firewalls and comply with the law.

The agreement released today does not allege any violations of the law by any TAG clients.

“New York voters deserve elections that are fair and free of coordination that distorts the democratic process,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “The law preventing coordination between candidates and advocacy campaigns is clear. Today’s agreement sends a clear message that campaign coordination is unacceptable in New York city and state politics.”

Board Member Mark Piazza said, “We have been watching with dismay as outside groups and candidates at the federal level test the boundaries, and often cross the line, of coordination. New Yorkers have been clear that they do not want that happening in our city elections. Strong enforcement is the only way to ensure that it doesn’t.”

Under the New York City Campaign Finance Act, the New York City Campaign Finance Board enforces the law governing campaign spending in elections for New York City public office. Candidates must abide by the requirements of the Act and CFB rules, which include limitations on the amount of contributions a campaign may receive from any single contributor. CFB Rules also apply to expenditures made by outside parties on behalf of, or in opposition to, campaigns.

Expenditures that are made without the cooperation of a campaign are referred to as “independent.” The Act defines “independent” activity as that in which a candidate or a candidate’s committee “did not authorize, request, suggest, foster or cooperate.” Expenditures made with the cooperation of a campaign may not be reported as independent; such expenditures are in-kind contributions, which are subject to eh contribution and expenditure limits and must be accounted for and reported by campaign. Campaigns may not accept contributions, including in –kind contributions, from corporations.

In December 2013, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) opened an investigation by subpoenaing TAG and other entities for documents and information relating to TAG’s consulting work during the 2013 election. OAG’s investigation identified independent expenditures made on behalf of political candidates while both the spenders and the candidates were TAG clients, making TAG liable for violations of the New York City Campaign Finance Act and CFB rules.

OAG’s investigation further found that TAG created an alter ego, Strategic Consultants, to act as its public face in connection with one advocacy campaign client in order to obscure its coordination. One invoice sent by Strategic Consultants to the client included TAG’s logo. Furthermore, TAG employees reported that they had never heard of Strategic Consultants, which shares an address with TAG, including the same suite number, indicating that it was not a real entity.

OAG’s investigation also found that TAG clients were regularly in and out of its offices.

When CFB sent letters to certain TAG clients in September 2013, informing them of its concerns about possible coordination, a TAG staffer was directed to draft the response to be sent on behalf of the campaigns.

As part of the settlement agreement, TAG will pay $10,800 to New York State, and $15,000 to the CFB. Moving forward, TAG has agreed to follow all relevant laws and rules, and to seek guidance from the relevant regulatory agency on how to establish a firewall that can serve as a safe harbor when a campaign client and a third party spender engage the same consultant.